The Contrast of Faith

Temple Baptist Church - 12-26-2019

Hebrews 11:5-6

Introduction:

A.  “But” - A primary particle (adversative [opposing or adverse] or continuative [continuation of discourse]).

1.  Used to introduce a phrase or clause contrasting with what has already been mentioned.  But ties verse 6 to verse 5.  Too many times, preachers treat verse 6 as “stand alone.”

2.  Used to indicate the impossibility of anything other than what is being stated.  Without faith, God cannot and will not be pleased.

B.  Verse 5: we saw that Enoch walked with God and had this testimony, that he pleased God.

C.  We saw that Enoch walked with God and pleased God in a hard time.

D.  We find no account of anyone else walking with God as the “sons of God” were walking in a state of spiritual decline.  When we get to Genesis, chapter 6, God is displeased because of the condition of mankind in general.

E.  We cannot please God when we walk in in the flesh.

Hebrews 10:38  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Romans  8:8  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

1.  A Faith that is pleasing to God brings salvation to the child of God!

a.  Salvation is by Faith!  If man attempts to come to God with any mixture of works, self-worth and faith, they cannot be saved.  Salvation is faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ: he lived a sinless life, was crucified, died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures for our justification.

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

b.  By faith a sinner accepts the Person of God, the Propitiation of God, and the Promise of God!

c.  There are saved who are Carnal.  In both Enoch’s and Noah’s day, these “sons of God” walked according to the flesh and were brought under the judgment of death.  Thus the CONTRAST of Enoch’s faith that caused him to walk with God and the faith of those who chose to walk with the world.

2 Timothy 2:24-26  And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,  (25)  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;  (26)  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

d.  There is Dead Faith.

James 2:17-18  Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.  (18)  Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

e.  There is Devil’s Faith.

James 2:19  Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

2.  A Faith that is pleasing to God causes cleansing in the child of God.

1 John 3:2-3  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  (3)  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

3.  A Faith that is pleasing to God causes continuation in the child of God.

1 Corinthians 15:57-58  But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  (58)  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

4.  A Faith that is pleasing to God causes expectancy in the child of God.

Titus 2:13  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

Hebrews 9:28  So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.